The City of San Jose has officially proclaimed February 24th as Thomas Foon Chew Day. The Proclamation pays tribute to the groundbreaking achievements and lasting legacy of Thomas Foon Chew, a pioneering Chinese American entrepreneur whose contributions to the agricultural industry left an indelible mark on the Bay Area and beyond.

Thomas Foon Chew, often referred to as the "Asparagus King," revolutionized the canning industry in the early 20th Century. Despite immense challenges faced by Chinese Americans at the time, including systemic exclusion, Chew expanded his family's modest cannery into one of the largest and most innovative operations in California. His business not only provided employment opportunities for thousands but also bridged cultural gaps, employing a diverse workforce and setting a remarkable example of leadership and inclusivity.

The City of San Jose has recognized Chew’s extraordinary story as a vital part of local history. "Thomas Foon Chew was as much a local pioneer as he was a business visionary. His success paved the way for many to follow in his footsteps," said Councilmember David Cohen of District 4 who authored the Proclamation.

Cohen credited a 16-year-old high schooler from CompassPoint Mentorship with proposing the holiday. “All of this started because of one student, Grant Han,...who contacted my office and decided he wanted to preserve this piece of history”. Han stated that he saw Chew’s story as “an inspiration for future generations.” He hoped this holiday could “inspire future generations to follow in Thomas Foon Chew’s footsteps.”

The Proclamation was presented by Mayor Matt Mahan to Gloria Hom, Chew’s granddaughter, at San Jose’s City Hall. It was preceded by a celebration of life event in Alviso, where Chew established the Bayside Canning Company. Over 140 residents, historians, students, public officials, family, and friends attended the celebration hosted by the Chinese Historical and Cultural Project and CompassPoint Mentorship. Tours of the portion of the Bayside Cannery still standing and the surrounding levee were followed by a presentation at the South Bay Yacht Club, where Gloria Hom spoke about her grandfather’s legacy. During its heyday, the Bayside Canning Company was the third-largest cannery in the United States. The local economy was dependent on Chew, said Dick Santos, Director of Valley Water District 3, and “according to my Father who worked for him, was an honorable man and was the major provider of the then City of Alviso residents’ employer.”

Born in 1882, Thomas Foon Chew inherited his father’s small cannery in the early 1900s and transformed it into a major enterprise known as the Bayside Canning Company with locations in Alviso, Isleton, and Mayfield Palo Alto. His ability to innovate, coupled with his commitment to fair labor practices and community engagement, solidified his place in history as a trailblazer for Chinese Americans.

CompassPoint Mentorship’s mission is to help children around the world convert ideas into world-changing actions through education, mentorship, and leadership opportunities.

The Chinese Historical and Cultural Project (CHCP)’s mission is to promote, preserve, and educate about Chinese and Chinese American history and culture. CHCP operates the Chinese American Historical Museum, offers cultural and educational events and activities, student docent and intern programs, and resources to advance AAPI interests throughout the Silicon Valley region.

By Kimberly Eng Lee, CHCP Co-President

CHCP proudly introduced three Pioneer Chinese Families of San Jose at a gathering of the Chinese American Heritage Network in Marysville, CA on March 1st, organized by Brian Tom from the Chinese American Museum of Northern California. CHCP Co-Presidents Kimberly Eng Lee and Arthur Jue, Treasurer Elizabeth Lee, Director Brenda Wong, Co-Founder Gerrye Wong, and CHCP Member Angela Chan were joined by Grant Han and William Tang from CPMentorship (under the guidance of Catherine Liu). The 14 Northern California historical associations and organizations gave testimony to the significance of the region and memorialized the story of early Chinese settlers.

Chinese immigrants came to America not only to mine the gold mountains and build railroads and levees, but they labored invisibly in many trades with expertise that helped build up California and our United States. Sharing of Chinese culture and traditions, then and now, fortifies social networks, furthers cross-cultural understanding, and substantiates the presence and permanence of Chinese in America.

Pioneer Chinese Families of San Jose:

Connie Young Yu, a third generation Chinese American on her father’s side and fourth on her mother’s, owes her life’s work to her parents. Her paternal grandfather fled the Market Street Chinatown arson fire in 1887 and became a community leader in Heinlenville Chinatown. Her maternal grandfather was a foreman on the Transcontinental Railroad. His son, Lee Yoke Suey, was a merchant, yet his wife was detained on Angel Island for 15 months. The Young family’s oral history, personal archives, research, and advocacy contributed to the restoration of Angel Island’s Immigration Barracks, creation of the Chinese American Historical Museum, founding of Asian Americans for Community Involvement, projects with the Japanese American Museum of San Jose, PBS’s documentary “Asian Americans,” the City of San Jose’s apology for past injustices toward Chinese, and creation of Heinlenville Park. Connie said, “It has always been my destiny to be part of the American movement for social justice and civil rights, given my family background of struggling against discrimination, and overcoming. My mission is to establish Chinese American history as American history.”

Thomas Foon Chew was an entrepreneur and innovator, renowned for transforming the canning industry in early 20th-century California. He moved the family business to Alviso after San Francisco's Great Earthquake in 1906. With expansion of the Bayside Canning Company to Isleton and Mayfield, and extensive farm lands in the Sacramento Delta, it became the third largest cannery in America. Chew employed a diverse workforce, provided transport, room and board, and established Alviso as an essential port town in the Bay Area. Nicknamed the 'Asparagus King', he was the first Chinese American in California to join the Masons, and was the third richest man in California when he died in 1931. This year, at the prompting of a local student, the City of San Jose Proclaimed February 24th to be "Thomas Foon Chew Day".

Gordon Chan's family legacy starts with grandfather, Chin Hong Dai, the 'Chinese Potato King' who leased 1,100 acres in the Sacramento Delta in 1901, reaching Eastern markets ahead of competitors. His father Ted, farmed flowers and Gordon transformed the business into one of the largest growing operations in Santa Clara Valley, specializing in cut roses shipped nationwide. Gordon’s leadership extended beyond farming to uniting Chinese flower growers, supporting new immigrants, participating in many Chinese Benevolent Associations, and mentoring young Asian American leaders. He broke barriers as the first Chinese American on key County Boards including the Farm Bureau, Planning Commission, Redistricting Commission, Open Space Authority, Cut Flower Commission and County Fair Board, earning him an honorary doctorate from the People’s Republic of China. The main post office for San Jose was renamed after him in 2009: "Gordon led a life of leadership and participation...He was about social change and social justice".

CLICK HERE to view the full text from CHCP's Pioneer Chinese Families of San Jose exhibit.

By Gerrye Wong, CHCP Co-Founder and Trustee

Chinese Historical and Cultural Project celebrated their annual Lunar New Year festival in fine fashion this year under sunny skies. Dragons and lions paraded all around the park while children learned how to write their names in Chinese and make crafts pertaining to New Year’s customs. Robin Wang's beautiful calligraphy banners were cherished by those who had him make one for them. Entertainment included hip-hop dancers and hula maidens while martial arts talents were shown by a group of both men and women. Kudos to chairs Brenda Wong, Ingrid Lai, and Liz Chew for staging such a wonderful celebration that was enjoyed by hundreds of people at History Park.

The following is an excerpt from 02/17/25 Ding Ding TV:

By Gerrye Wong, CHCP Co-Founder and Trustee

The quiet little town of Alviso came to life this week when over 140 people descended upon the South Bay Yacht Club under a beautiful winter sky to attend a celebration of the life of one of its early pioneers, Thomas Foon Chew. Presented by a duo of non-profit organizations, the Chinese Historical and Cultural Project (CHCP) and CompassPoint Mentorship (CPM), the program honored Alviso’s most illustrious son, Thomas Foon Chew, who was the town’s most successful businessman as he founded the Bayside Canning Company which had its flagship facility in the heart of Alviso.

The day’s event was named Thomas Foon Chew Celebration and tours were given of the portion of the Bayside Cannery still standing and the surrounding levee. Then attendees gathered inside the South Bay Yacht Club to hear Chew’s granddaughter (and CHCP Advisory Board Member) Gloria Hom tell about her grandfather’s legacy. During its heyday in the 1920s-40s Bayside Canning Company was the third largest cannery in the United States. No doubt Alviso’s economy was dependent on Chew’s cannery, for as Valley Water District 3 Director Dick Santos recalled, it was said Mr. Chew had over 6000 workers in his biggest plant in Alviso, together with Palo Alto and Isleton facilities.

When queried how this little-known information of Thomas Foon Chew was uncovered after so many years, CHCP Co-President Kimberly Lee said it was a student, Grant Han, who became fascinated with the thought of a Chinese owning such a large canning factory. Grant himself told how he began interviewing people about Mr. Chew and then wrote to San Jose Councilmember David Cohen suggesting they name a day for Thomas Foon Chew, appropriately on February 24, the last day of his life in 1931.

When Grant received the good news about San Jose proclaiming a Thomas Foon Chew Day, the wheels moved when CHCP contacted Gloria Hom to be the guest speaker at an event co-hosted by the two organizations, and what a wonderful culmination of historians, families, and friends of Thomas Foon Chew were brought together to learn more about the life of this Chinese American businessman. As Dick Santos recalled, his family always worked alongside Chew and remembered him as a kind and generous employer who always fed and treated his employees well. They all looked forward to the Chinese New Year's Day when he would transport them all to San Francisco for a grand banquet meal. CPM Executive Director Catherine Liu appreciated the history of the life of Thomas and was a major leader in presenting this celebratory occasion.

Gloria Hom admitted that unfortunately her grandfather died before she was born, but she had always heard about his active work ethic and being a kind father to his 7 children, one of which was her mother. She showed slides of Bayside Canning Company labels from his canned foods. He was most famous as the first person who canned green asparagus, thus earning the name the Asparagus King. The food offerings at this festive event reflected what fruits and vegetables were canned at the Bayside Cannery. They had a peach and pear punch, an asparagus bread, and a tomato caprese to remember the crops that were canned right on Alviso land.

Commemorating this true Chinese American pioneer were local officials: Councilmember David Cohen District 4, Palo Alto Councilmember and former Mayor Lydia Kou, Cupertino Vice Mayor Kitty Moore, former Santa Clara County Supervisor Rod Diridon, and former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Gloria Duffy. Victoria Low presented a California State Proclamation from the office of Assemblyman Patrick Ahren.

February 24 will officially be proclaimed by the San Jose City Council as Thomas Foon Chew Day at their meeting on February 25 at San Jose’s City Hall Chambers to commemorate this Chinese American pioneer business hero in our Alviso and Palo Alto history.

For more information:  Read the full 02/17/25 Ding Ding TV press release.

Nathan Louie shows off his bobblehead figure in front of the California Theatre in downtown San Jose on March 3, 2020. (Sal Pizarro/Bay Area News Group)

The following is an excerpt from the 02/08/25 SJ Mercury News:

By Sal Pizarro, Bay Area News Group

Everyone who knew Nathan Louie probably has a dozen stories they could tell about him. I’ve been thinking about many of mine this week since I learned that the retired teacher — a San Francisco native and longtime San Jose resident — died last week at age 84. I don’t know that I’ve ever met anyone who radiated joy quite the same way.

Louie — who had a long career teaching at Briarwood and Monticello elementary schools — wasn’t one to take retirement sitting down, though you could sometimes find him relaxing on the porch of his gorgeous museum-like home on South 15th Street in San Jose’s Naglee Park neighborhood. It was easy to tell which house was his when he wasn’t there, too: A marble bust of Louie held a place of honor in the front yard, along with Chinese foo dog statues and an ornate lamppost.

He volunteered for many causes, including the Cinequest film festival, the Chinese Historical and Cultural Project and the Silicon Valley Asian Pacific Film Festival. And he was always dressed to impress. Sometimes he’d be in a Chinese opera costume or imperial robes greeting Cinequest audiences at the California Theatre or he might be in a sparkling tuxedo for National Night Out in St. James Park. He even had his own bobblehead figure.

Longtime friend Gerrye Wong and a number of his other friends visited Louie for his 84th birthday party during the Year of the Dragon last June at Sunrise of Cupertino, an assisted living facility where Louie had moved after his health began to take a downturn. She recalled his immense generosity and indefatigable spirit.

He was born in the year of the dragon and once gifted her with a large wooden statue of a dragon from his home collection when she visited him. Another time, he gave her a glass dragon pendant necklace to remember him. “A true gentlemen dragon friend,” she said. “Never to be forgotten for his love of life, glamor and glitz which is just what his personality was like.”

While I would see Louie at various events, it was always a treat to see him on opening night of Cinequest. I was initially embarrassed whenever he would stand with me and proudly announce my arrival to the crowd waiting in line, but that was Nathan being Nathan and I learned to lean into his world. He was one of a kind, and he will be missed.

By Peter Young, CHCP Director

Cherrywood Elementary School in the Berryessa District of San Jose held a free Lunar New Year Family Night Celebration Friday, February 7th in their Multi-Purpose Room. The celebration focused on keeping the Lunar New Year traditions alive and to showcase the talents of the school’s Mandarin Immersion students who hosted 15 cultural booths on Chinese culture and the Lunar New Year. The talents of the students were very much evident as one could see from the booths that evening. Most popular booth was the Candy Paint booth where students were able to create their own candy in a Chinese character. Most creative booth was the Finger Knit Snakes booth where the students knitted a snake on their fingers. Honorable Mention went to the Face Painting booth where students had their face and arms painted with Chinese characters. All of the booths showed creativity and planning. I was very much impressed.

Many of the 560 students attended the event along with their parents. Everyone was treated to samplings of Chinese dumpling, vegetarian dumpling, sticky rice, fried rice, and chow mein. The Fei Teng Lion Dance Group treated everyone to a dazzling lion dance performance and martial arts display. Cherrywood Elementary School Principal Tina Choy was the emcee and Emily Ho of the Cherrywood Home and School Association was instrumental in the planning and organization of the fun event. Cherrywood Elementary’s Home and School Association was a recipient of a CHCP HELP Grant to help cover costs for the event.

By Andrew Mo, CHCP Director

The Chinese Historical and Cultural Project (CHCP) partnered with the New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum to host a successful Lunar New Year celebration, drawing over 100 visitors. The event featured vibrant lion dancing, engaging Chinese paper crafts, and educational activities tailored for children, fostering cultural appreciation and community engagement. The collaboration provided an immersive experience, blending traditional festivities with historical education, making it a memorable and enriching event for attendees of all ages.

View the lion dance performance by the San Jose State University (SJSU) Lion Dance Club (in 2 parts):

By Willie Lou, CHCP Member

Hi, my name is Willie!

I had an amazing time cosplaying CoiSan 財神, the Cantonese God of Wealth, at CHCP’s outreach event during the San Jose Sharks game! It was a fantastic opportunity to share our culture and mythology with visitors, sparking curiosity and appreciation for Cantonese traditions. Seeing people engage, ask questions, and celebrate with us made the experience truly rewarding.

CHCP hosts many events that showcase Chinese heritage, folklore, and history, making learning fun and interactive. I encourage everyone to join and experience it firsthand!

CHCP's Chinese American Historical Museum was featured on ABC Channel 7 on Thursday January 23. Reporter Jason Beal interviewed CHCP Co-Founder/Trustee Gerrye Wong and CHCP Governing Trustee Anita Wong Kwock about the history of the museum, its contents and its exhibits of Chinese American history.

View the video clip and read the accompanying article:
https://abc7ny.com/videoClip/ng-shing-gung-history-san-jose-chinese-american-heritage-museum-new-year/15834040/#